The hottest Reflection Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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The Monthly Salon: June

The Abbey of Misrule • 197 implied HN points • 07 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Reflection
  1. The author announced the penultimate chapter in a series they've been working on for over two years will be ending soon.
  2. After the chapter ends, the author plans to take a summer break and then return with new projects and ideas.
  3. The author is excited about exploring new avenues while building on their previous work.

Embrace Life, Embrace Death ⌛

Soaring Twenties • 108 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Reflection
  1. Embrace life and live fully, for it's the fear of not living up to our potential that is truly daunting.
  2. Memento Mori, the idea of remembering our mortality, can be a powerful reminder to make the most of our time and not take life for granted.
  3. Take care of yourself and cherish your loved ones daily, for life is fragile and unpredictable. Don't wait to start living authentically.
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On the Art of Writing

Soaring Twenties • 224 implied HN points • 08 Mar 23
📚 Literature Reflection
  1. Writing should have substance and purpose, not just frivolous tricks.
  2. Writers should connect with their audience honestly and meaningfully.
  3. Authenticity and honesty in writing are essential for creating impactful work.

The Trap of New Year's Resolutions

David Spinks' Newsletter • 3 implied HN points • 12 Dec 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Reflection
  1. New year goals often come from a belief that you are broken and need to be fixed, which just reinforces feelings of not being enough.
  2. A better approach is to start from a place of enoughness and pick goals because they bring joy, meaning, or align with your values, not to prove your worth.
  3. When goals come from enoughness you feel less stressed about outcomes and can focus on growth, connection, and what genuinely makes you happy; regular reflection helps you stay oriented toward that place.

The small things

Random Minds by Katherine Brodsky • 42 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Reflection
  1. Small moments in life can really shape our mood and creativity. It's important to notice and appreciate these little things.
  2. Private experiences often influence what we feel inspired to write about. Writing can be deeply personal and connected to our feelings.
  3. Taking the time to reflect on our daily experiences can help us understand ourselves better. This can lead to richer and more meaningful writing.

Geese and Wholeness

Charles Eisenstein • 1 implied HN point • 20 Jan 26
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Reflection
  1. Sometimes you suddenly feel deep gratitude for all the events that led you to this exact moment.
  2. Comments on the post are being turned off and discussions are being moved to a separate online forum.
  3. The creator will keep releasing short videos frequently and invites people to join, follow, or support the work.

Self-portraits and reflection

polymathematics • 19 implied HN points • 17 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Reflection
  1. When you're stuck for ideas, take a walk. Sometimes, the best thoughts come when you give yourself a little time and space.
  2. Take time to define what you love and share it with others. Showing appreciation for someone else's work can go a long way.
  3. Make art often, even if it's just silly or small. It can lift your mood and spark bigger ideas down the line.

Whose dinner party is this anyway?

Splattern • 19 implied HN points • 17 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Reflection
  1. It's important to initiate plans with friends, as it can take real courage and effort to bring people together. Taking that first step can mean a lot.
  2. Hosting events, even in places you don't live, shows the power of connection. You can create a fun atmosphere and help people meet new friends.
  3. Being a good host is about making others feel comfortable and connecting them. Sometimes, introverts can be great at bringing people together, showing that you don’t have to be extroverted to be a fantastic host.

sunday perspective pool

bad cattitude • 76 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Reflection
  1. Just because we did something a certain way before, doesn't mean we should keep doing it that way.
  2. Change can lead to a better future.
  3. Consider exploring new approaches instead of sticking to old habits.

Notes from the Week (Week 34 & 35)

Notes in the Margins • 19 implied HN points • 03 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Reflection
  1. The author has been learning unique things about themselves recently, which has solidified their understanding of certain characteristics and behaviors.
  2. Through experiences like book club choices, the author has discovered aspects of themselves, such as being a Parisian Perfectionist and having a conflict between desiring to be liked and being authentic.
  3. As the author coaches individuals, they find themselves learning valuable lessons about themselves and embracing who they have become.

Audio Reflection for Paid Subscribers(1)

The Joyous Struggle • 19 implied HN points • 12 Sep 23
🎙 Podcasts Reflection
  1. The author is expressing gratitude towards the first twenty paid subscribers for their support.
  2. The author plans to share periodic voice notes reflecting on their current thoughts and struggles as a way to engage with subscribers.
  3. To access the full posts and archives, readers can start a 7-day free trial or sign in if they are already paid subscribers.

My beef with the über-productivity culture

Midnight Musings • 99 implied HN points • 28 Feb 22
🎭️ Culture Reflection
  1. The push for constant productivity can make us forget to ask why we're doing what we do. Understanding our true motivations is key to finding fulfillment.
  2. We often desire things because we see others wanting them, not because we truly want them ourselves. It's important to identify if our goals are genuinely ours or influenced by others.
  3. Instead of letting fear drive our actions, we should focus on loving the process and the work we do. This change in mindset can help create lasting motivation and happiness.

On Mediocrity

Anna Gát: Eleven Sentence Essays • 124 implied HN points • 15 Feb 23
📚 Literature Reflection
  1. Struggling with mediocrity and feeling like things aren't working out is a normal part of life.
  2. Comparing ourselves to others or pretending everything is perfect only leads to more disappointment.
  3. Accepting our flaws and striving for improvement is key to growth and moving forward.

"Bẩn thỉu và mất dạy"

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 179 implied HN points • 10 Aug 20
📖 Philosophy Reflection
  1. When engaging in debates, focus on understanding the other person rather than attacking them. It's an opportunity to learn and correct mistakes.
  2. The attitude you bring to a debate influences the outcome. Debating to win might not lead to real learning, while debating to learn can lead to personal growth.
  3. Success in a debate isn't just about winning arguments; it's about being open to learning and improving by acknowledging mistakes.

Looking Into a Mirror

Polymathic Being • 68 implied HN points • 15 Oct 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Reflection
  1. People often project their own behaviors and beliefs onto others, leading to misunderstandings in conversations.
  2. Understanding that others may be reacting based on their own fears or insecurities can help you navigate and contextualize online arguments.
  3. By reflecting on your own tendencies and biases, you can improve empathy, communication, and ultimately influence others positively.

Notes on friendship as a co-adventure

Thinking Out Loud • 44 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Reflection
  1. Friends are for living life with, not just for talking about life with.
  2. Deepening relationships and creating shared experiences with friends can lead to more fulfilling connections.
  3. Being intentional about co-adventuring with friends, in-person and online, can combat feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Now 5 years later on...

The ZIPster • 44 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
💼 Business Reflection
  1. Selling a business can bring positive changes and open up new opportunities for simpler, more fulfilling pursuits.
  2. Lessons learned from past entrepreneurial failures can pave the way for eventual success.
  3. Retirement can offer the chance to explore new hobbies, learn new skills, and enjoy leisure time with loved ones.

Timeless Questions that Shape Your Life

DruGroup • 59 implied HN points • 03 Mar 22
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Reflection
  1. It's important to know what matters most in your life. Understanding your values helps align your decisions with who you are and who you want to be.
  2. Knowing your big 'why' is crucial. Identifying your motivations can give your life meaning and purpose.
  3. Building a good support team matters. The people around you can influence your life positively, so it's important to nurture those relationships.

a letter about the creative process of a writer

Tumbleweed Words • 38 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
📚 Literature Reflection
  1. The creative process for a writer involves drawing thoughts from a subconscious place and crafting them into words on a page.
  2. Creating meaningful work requires dedication and perseverance, despite doubts and external distractions.
  3. Reflection and inspiration from past experiences play a significant role in fueling the creative process.

The Myth of Paris

The Leftovers • 39 implied HN points • 05 Jan 22
🎭️ Culture Reflection
  1. The author discusses their enjoyment of Wes Anderson's movie The French Dispatch, despite having some critiques about its representation of Paris
  2. The piece questions whether The French Dispatch is a parody or homage to the Anglophone Myth of Paris, prompting readers to consider their perceptions of the city
  3. There is a reflection on the myth of Paris as portrayed in the film, pointing to the tendency to idealize and overlook certain aspects of the city

Improve Your Remembering and Achieving

Mental Models • 63 implied HN points • 17 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Reflection
  1. Temporal landmarks are special events that help us remember and organize time.
  2. Temporal landmarks can boost productivity and goal-setting by providing a mental separation between past and present.
  3. Using temporal landmarks can create momentum, structure, and motivation, aiding in achieving goals and improving well-being.

Bravery, revisted

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life • 11 implied HN points • 05 Jan 25
📚 Literature Reflection
  1. Eclecticism in writing means blending different styles and ideas. It can make your work more unique and interesting.
  2. Bravery is often about facing difficult situations, like dealing with loss. It shows how we can handle tough times and still carry on.
  3. Family memories can be both joyful and bittersweet. They remind us of the love we share, and the people we miss when they're gone.

Start the week #98

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life • 4 implied HN points • 23 Jun 25
📚 Literature Reflection
  1. Meeting new people can bring fresh perspectives and insights. It can help you grow and think differently about life.
  2. Language is a powerful tool for expression and connection. How we use words can shape our thoughts and relationships.
  3. Reflecting on our experiences is important for personal growth. It helps us understand ourselves and the world around us better.

Start the week #86

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life • 10 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
📚 Literature Reflection
  1. Writing can be tough sometimes, and it's normal to feel stuck or unsure about what to create. It's important to remember that finding joy and laughter in writing can be valuable for others.
  2. Social media can feel overwhelming with constant bragging and selling. It's okay to mute or block content that doesn’t interest you, and it’s important to focus on what truly matters to us.
  3. Learning an instrument, like the saxophone, involves a lot of patience and practice. Success often comes just when we feel like giving up, so it's good to keep showing up and trying.

Taking the Time to Ask the Questions

Notes in the Margins • 19 implied HN points • 26 Sep 22
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Reflection
  1. Focus on asking important questions about your life and future goals to guide your journey.
  2. Identify and prioritize your personal core values to make decisions aligned with what truly matters to you.
  3. Taking the time to define your values can bring focus and clarity for the next chapter of your life, helping you treat yourself with grace and practice agency.

Dear Shame

Just Enough to Get Me in Trouble • 24 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Reflection
  1. The author reflects on dealing with shame and embracing other emotions as part of self-discovery.
  2. Acknowledging and understanding one's emotions, even challenging ones like shame, is essential for personal growth.
  3. Finding balance and space for various emotions within oneself is important for inner peace and self-acceptance.